STATEMENT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA Regarding the Statement of the Duma of the Russian Federation of October 12, 2001,

The Parliament of Georgia considers:

1.      The accusations, expressed in the Statement of the Duma of the Russian Federation, referring to the protection of Chechen terrorists and pursuing of anti-Russian aggressive policy as groundless and constitutes a political pressure, aiming at discrediting Georgia's international image. In this context, the statement, made by the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of Georgia, shall be taken into consideration.

2.      Georgia has always paid due respect to the friendly relations between the two neighbor States and in order to avoid unnecessary deterioration in the relations, tried to refrain from rigid responses. The Statement of the Duma of the Russian Federation deserves such a rigid response but the Parliament of Georgia believes that this expression of the political will by the Members of the Russian Duma, was based on misinformation. Due to the aforementioned reasons, the Statement went far beyond the diplomatic framework and failed to use the capabilities of the Russian and Georgian legislative authorities.

3.      The Parliament of Georgia reserves the right to fully use the existing potential and appeals to the Duma of the Russian Federation, to respect the already established values in Georgian-Russian relations and to avoid expression of uncompromising positions.

4.      Regarding the conflict in Abkhazia and Russia's involvement in it, the population of Georgia is still rather doubtful about Russia's declarations in favor of restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity, since on many occasions Russia proved to be acting in favor of the Abkhaz separatists. After the Chechen problem came into existence, Russia should have seen more clearly political and legal aspects of this reality but unfortunately, there has been no effort from Russia's side to recognize the similarity of these problems. All the above-mentioned is the proof of double-standard approach, applied by Russia towards Georgia.

5.      The Parliament of Georgia reiterates its good neighborly relations with Russia, though it does not rule out the potential for misunderstanding and mistakes from both sides. Such excesses should not become the reasons for political tensions between the two States and their historically friendly peoples.

6.      The parliament of Georgia expresses its readiness, acting within the framework of its competence, to settle the existing problems in Georgian-Russian relations by means of constructive dialogue and calls upon both States to normalize the relations between all the branches of power.

Tbilisi, October, 12 2001

(Archive of the Parliament of Georgia)